What's New...
2010 Legislative Session Underway
The 2010 Mississippi Legislative Session convened on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at the State Capitol Building in Jackson, Mississippi. It will last until Saturday, April 3. This promises to be a challenging session for Mississippi legislators as they face the most serious budget shortfalls in many years. In addition, numerous efforts are underway to introduce legislation that could create serious concerns for Mississippi's Workers' Comp Industry, the most worrisome of all being a"10 in 10" push by labor activists, which would increase benefit periods from 450 weeks to 520 weeks, "10 years in 2010". This move could be very harmful in the present economy, costing employers and Mississippi State Government millions of dollars, thereby adding to the economic difficulties many businesses are facing. Rest assured that MASI, as the watchdog for Self-Insured Workers' Comp in Mississippi, will be hard at work representing the interests of our members at the State Capitol. We are not opposed to a fair system, but we do oppose any changes which would further damage the ability of Mississippi businesses to operate successfully, thereby jeopardizing the employment of the many hardworking citizens of our state who need jobs.
To view MASI's 2010 Legislative Agenda, click here
To link to the Mississippi State Government's Web Page, click here
To link to the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission Web Page, click here
MASI Drafts Compromise Bill for 2010 Session
In response to a request made by House Insurance Chairman Walter Robinson at a special hearing held in August, MASI has drafted a compromise bill encompassing several different issues. The bill would accomplish several things:
- Provide protection of the Self-Insured Guaranty Fund, allowing it to be a fund of last resort when a failing company or re-insurer has recourse from a fund in another state.
- Provide stronger laws against workplace drug and alcohol use, including allowing the admissibility in court of all post-accident testing.
- Direct appeal of all Workers' Comp cases to the Mississippi Court of Appeals, thus streamlining the judicial process.
- Increasing several benefit amounts: $1000 for Surviving Spouse, $5000 for funeral expenses, and $25 per week for additional maintenance compensation.
NOTE: DUE TO THE LACK OF SUPPORT AND COOPERATION FROM THE OPPOSING SIDES, MASI HAS DECIDED TO WITHDRAW THIS COMPROMISE BILL FROM CONSIDERATION.
To view a copy of this Compromise Bill, click here
MASI Hosts Very Successful Legislative Luncheons
For the third year, MASI hosted Legislative Luncheons to allow our members to meet with legislators and discuss issues of concern to them. Over sixty people attended the November luncheons, held at River Hills Club in Jackson and at Mary Mahoneys in Biloxi. Attending the luncheons were Hon. Walter Robinson, Chairman, House Ins. Comm., Hon. Brandon Jones, Vice-Chairman, House Ins. Comm., Hon. Billy Hewes, President Pro-Tem of the Senate and member of the Senate Ins. Comm., Hon. Walter Michel, State Senator, Hon. Joe Warren, House Ins. Committee, and Hon. Jessica Upshaw, House Ins. Committee. Also attending were Hon. Liles Williams, Chairman of the MWCC and Preston Williams, Director of Self-Insurance, MWCC. Further Legislative Updates will take place at MASI's Winter Seminar, February 9, and a Coast Legislative Meeting at Mary Mahoneys on February 25.
Legislative Updates
To keep our members informed, MASI will be e-mailing regular Legislative Updates to our members. These updates will track all bills that are introduced that pertain to Workers' Comp issues. All total, fifteen of these updates were sent in 2009. To view the 2009 Legislative Update #15, click here.
To view the 2010 Legislative Update # 1, click here.
To view the 2010 Legislative Update # 2, click here.
Fee Schedule Revisions Being Considered by MWCC
The Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission is currently in the beginning stages of considering further revisions to the Mississippi Workers' Comp Medical Fee Schedule. This schedule was last revised in 2007. MASI was very involved in the last revision and plans to again be very involved in the upcoming one. A lengthy list of proposed improvements to the Fee Schedule has been adopted by MASI and delivered to the MWCC for consideration. To view MASI's current Fee Schedule Recommendations, click here.
National Healthcare Reform Could Affect Workers' Comp
The debate currently taking place in Washington could have historic implications not only on our nation's healthcare program but on workers' comp as well. For updates on these reform efforts, click on the following links:
What Does MASI Do?
The Mississippi Association of Self-Insurers was
established to represent the interests of the
self-insurance industry through legislative and
regulatory actions. The Association membership
is composed of group self-insurer funds and individual
self-insured employers.
The Association is strongly supported by many professional members
who serve self-insurers such as rehabilitation counselors, third party
administrators, law firms, and specialists in various other services.
The Association is directed by a Board of Directors with a representative
from each Group Association and representatives selected from individual
self-insured companies.
Legislative, Regulatory, Public Relations and
Individual Self-Insured Committees have been established to recommend
present and future policies for the association.
